Broncos acquire tackle Jared Veldheer from Arizona in exchange for 6th-round pick By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 24, 2018
The Broncos believe they’ve finally found the help they’ve sorely needed on the offensive line.
The team on Friday acquired veteran tackle Jared Veldheer from Arizona in exchange for a 2018 sixth- round pick (No. 182). Although Veldheer’s natural position is at left tackle, the plan is to have him start at right tackle, leave Garett Bolles on the left side, and shift Ron Leary to left guard, where he is most comfortable.
A shuffle on the line was considered at the start of the offseason, as the Broncos sought ways to improve not only the protection of their quarterback, but to also aid the run game. Doing so became especially vital when the team signed quarterback Case Keenum to a hefty $36 million deal.
With Menelik Watson returning (his $5.5 million salary was fully guaranteed last Sunday) and Billy Turner re-signed to a one-year contract, the team is confident it not only has the right pieces now, but also the depth at tackle.
What’s more: The trade for Veldheer gives the Broncos’ options after 2018; Veldheer, 30, has one year remaining on his contract, with a base salary of $6.5 million.
An eight-year veteran, Veldheer was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 2010 draft and spent his first four years in Oakland before signing with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2014. Last season, Veldheer started the first nine games at right tackle, then switched to the left side for four games before suffering an ankle fracture. He was placed on injured reserve after the team’s win against Tennessee in Week 14.
On the year, Veldheer allowed five sacks and was flagged for four total penalties (three false starts and one holding), per STATS, LLC.
Though the Broncos are hopeful the changes eliminate many of the 52 sacks on their quarterbacks last year (tied with Arizona for the third-most in the NFL), they leave the right guard spot in question. Max Garcia, who has one year left on his deal, manned the left guard position last year, but could face competition from Connor McGovern and maybe a newcomer. The Broncos now have nine selections in the upcoming draft, including the No. 5 overall pick. It’s possible they spend an early-round selection on a guard to fill the hole.
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch explains why trade for Aqib Talib fell through By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 24, 2018
Before Aqib Talib became a Los Angeles Ram, he was on the verge of becoming a San Francisco 49er. The Broncos were in discussions to ship their star corner out west to save salary-cap space and move forward with their younger cornerback, Bradley Roby. An agreement was in place but quickly nixed. And soon after, Talib was reunited with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in Los Angeles.
“I look at it like the final chapter of my NFL career, that fourth quarter,” Talib would later say. “What better place to do it in than L.A.?”
San Francisco general manager John Lynch explained why they later turned their attention to Richard Sherman — in a recent interview with ESPN’s Golic and Wingo.
“About a week prior (to signing Sherman), we had agreed to a trade for Aqib Talib, and that didn’t work out,” Lynch said. “It’s not that he didn’t want to be a Niner; (coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and I, actually with permission from (Broncos general manager John) Elway, got on the phone with Aqib, and he didn’t like the whole idea of getting traded and not having control over the situation.
“If he was traded, he wanted to play for a couple people that he knew real well: (Bill) Belichick or Wade Phillips. We talked to him and got him excited about the Niners, but ultimately he wanted to back up the Brinks truck. It wasn’t making sense, so we moved on.”
Though Talib had two years remaining on his current contract, he could have vowed to not report to the 49ers unless he received a new deal. The Rams took on his contract as is.
In the end, Talib’s trade and the 49ers’ signing of Sherman seemed to benefit both on paper, as each bolstered its secondary with star veterans. The Rams arguably have the best defensive backfield in the league now with Talib, Marcus Peters, Sam Shields and Nickell Robey-Coleman.
The Broncos, meanwhile, lost a star corner and defensive leader, but cleared $11 million in needed cap space to use in free agency. Four days after reaching an agreement with the Rams for Talib, the Broncos agreed to terms with quarterback Case Keenum.
Former Broncos QB Brock Osweiler signs with Miami Dolphins By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 24, 2018
Brock Osweiler is headed for a reunion in Miami as the Broncos continue to remake their quarterbacks room.
The veteran free agent signed with the Miami Dolphins on Friday and will again get to work with coach Adam Gase, previously the Broncos’ offensive coordinator.
Osweiler’s Denver exit follows the trade of Trevor Siemian and the arrival of free agent Case Keenum, who was signed to a two-year deal by the Broncos to be their starter for 2018.
This wasn’t always the plan, though.
A second-round pick by the Broncos in 2012, Osweiler was pegged as the eventual successor to Peyton Manning. But after four seasons in Denver that ended with a Super Bowl 50 win, Osweiler left for Houston on a $72 million contract. His first season as a full-time starter turned in a roller-coaster as he threw 16 touchdowns in 14 starts, was demoted in Week 15, then promoted again for the playoffs. In March 2017, Osweiler was traded to Cleveland — who cut him ahead of the season opener.
Though his time in Denver appeared to end on tenuous terms, he agreed to return last September to spell Siemian, as Paxton Lynch nursed an injury that required 10 weeks of recovery. The Broncos signed Osweiler to the veteran’s minimum, as the Browns footed the majority of his $16 million salary.
Osweiler arrived with the intention of being Siemian’s backup, but as the Broncos’ season spiraled, they used their quarterbacks five times, with each player serving as the starter, backup and third-stringer twice. Osweiler played six games, starting four, and completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions for a 72.5 passer rating.
“I would love the opportunity to be a Denver Bronco until I retire,” Osweiler told The Denver Post at the end of last season. “I love this city. I love this organization and I would love to be a part of getting this team back to the standard that I know John (Elway) wants.”
But the Broncos had different plans.
Siemian was dealt to the Vikings and Keenum was signed to a $36 million contract.
The Broncos could add another quarterback to the room in the draft, but for now they have Keenum as their starter, Lynch as their backup and Chad Kelly, the No. 253 pick in 2017, as their third-string quarterback. And Osweiler heads to his fourth team NFL city.
Former Broncos G Evan Mathis is auctioning off a 1952 Mickey Mantle card that will smash sales records By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 24, 2018
More than a year after retiring from the NFL, former Broncos guard Evan Mathis is on the brink of landing a big pay day.
An avid memorabilia collector, Mathis is selling a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA Mint 9 card through Heritage Auctions’ inaugural Sports Card Auction. Heritage estimates the card to be worth $3.5 million, which would set a record for the most expensive price ever paid at auction for a baseball card. The current record is $3.12 million, for Honus Wagner’s 1909-11 T206 that sold in 2016.
“Since the last auction offering of a PSA Mint 9 example over 10 years ago, the 1952 Topps Mantle rookie card has exploded in popularity and identified itself as the hobby’s ultimate blue chip stock,” said Chris Ivy, the director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, said in a release.
But Marshall Fogel, a memorabilia collector in Colorado whose collection will be unveiled at the Colorado History Museum in April, believes Mathis’ 1952 Mantle card is worth even more.
“Over $5 million. Easy,” Fogel said. “A ’52 Mantle card by Topps baseball company is a second-year card of Mickey Mantle. The first-year card is not as beautiful, nor is it as desirable, though it is important. It’s made by a different company and it more looks like a painting than a photograph. The ’52 Mantle is the King of King cards. If it’s a 9 or a 10 (grade), you’ve got something that is investment quality and it’s very desirable.
“That’s a big deal that sale.”
Though the 1952 Mantle card itself isn’t rare, Fogel said, finding one in perfect condition is like “finding a diamond in the rough.”
“You can have 10,000 Mantle cards, but to find the Holy Grail — 80 years and in perfect condition?” Fogel said. “It’s not a 10, but it’s a 9.”
Fogel does have the Holy Grail: a grade 10 1952 Mantle card that he’s been asked to sell many times. The value?
“I can tell you this,” he said, “It’s worth a lot of money.”
When Mathis likely sets a an auction record for his card, he’ll also be the first consignor at Heritage Auctions to accept cryptocurrency as payment. The auction will close through online extended bidding on April 19 at 9 p.m. MT. Mathis joined the Broncos for their Super Bowl 50 season and played all 16 regular-season games, starting 12. In his 10 previous seasons, Mathis spent time Carolina, Cincinnati, Miami and Philadelphia. Following one year in Denver, Mathis headed to Arizona where he finished out his career. He announced his retirement from the NFL in January 2017. Renovations to Josh Allen’s footwork on display during impressive pro day By Nick Kosmider Denver Post March 24, 2018
Josh Allen, the kid from sunny California, wanted snow.
The plan for the 6-foot-5, 232-pound future NFL quarterback was to incorporate inclement weather into his pro day schedule Friday morning. It would have been one more way for Allen to show the cold- weather teams selecting toward the top of next month’s draft that there isn’t anything he can’t handle.
“I was hoping it was snowing. If it had started snowing, we would have stepped outside for, probably, 20 throws,” Allen said. “Laramie, I guess, was on a different path this time.”
So Allen settled for 60 chest-thumping throws inside the University of Wyoming’s indoor practice facility that gave the Cleveland Browns, the team with the top overall pick represented by general manager John Dorsey and coach Hue Jackson, a lot to think about as they prepare to make the first pick in the draft on April 26.
Allen’s accuracy, long considered a check in the quarterback’s “weaknesses” column, according to some scouts, was scarcely a concern as he sprinted outside the pocket, changed direction under pressure and bombed the ball 80 yards — yes, 80 — down the field. Only three of his 60 throws — delivered to a combination of former Wyoming players and receivers Allen has worked with while training in San Clemente, Calif. — could be considered off the mark.
“We wanted to show every type of play-action footwork, every type of play-action throw,” said Jordan Palmer, the former NFL quarterback who has been training Allen and former USC QB Sam Darnold ahead of the draft. “We wanted to move him, show him on the run and show that he can control it. All those throws that look like, ‘Oh, those are boring, who cares,’ those are the throws (NFL scouts and executives) want to see. They know he can throw the ball down the field.”
Allen’s rocket of a right arm has always been there. Even when he was a scrawny quarterback at Firebaugh High School, he had an ability to zip the ball down the field. On Friday, he delivered a few throws with such force that when they landed with a thwap! against the chest of one of his receivers, spectators on the sideline winced.
“We did a little dry run earlier in the week, and he and I went full speed to get the timing down,” said former Wyoming fullback Drew Van Maanen, a native of Parker. “I was like, ‘Man, you’re about to take me and put me down to the ground when you throw these at me.’ He threw one today where (Palmer) went, ‘That probably hurt a little bit.’ It goes to show the power and speed he has behind that throw.”
Allen’s arm stole the show, but the feet wrapped in a pair of shiny orange cleats have been Palmer’s focus. When the quarterback guru began breaking down Allen’s tape, he noticed the accuracy problems began on Allen’s toes. When he stretched his body skyward, Palmer said, Allen would have a tendency to stride too far with his lead (left) leg.
“Then you end up leaning, and it changes your arm angle and makes it different every time,” Palmer said. “We tried to make it more consistent. We didn’t try to make it better, just more consistent.”
His focus has been on helping Allen shorten the front side of his delivery so that the back half of Allen’s body can finish through the throw. Allen said he has already felt the results. His quick footwork was on display Friday as Palmer barked out signals, forcing Allen to change direction in a split-second.
“It all starts from the feet,” Allen said. “As accurate as I want to be, it starts there.”
There was large contingent of NFL personnel on hand to view Allen’s impressive performance. In addition to the Browns’ management, Giants head coach Pat Shurmer, Broncos senior personnel adviser Gary Kubiak and Seahawks general manager John Schneider, among others, were also present. In all, 17 NFL teams were represented, including nearly a half-dozen Broncos scouts.
How would Allen feel about being selected by Denver now that John Elway has landed a starting quarterback, Case Keenum, in free agency?
“It would be an opportunity to sit and learn,” Allen said. “I’d go there and compete right away and learn the daily in-and-out of an NFL quarterback without all the pressure of going in and expecting to start right away. That type of situation would be wanted by most quarterbacks coming into the league. I’m a competitive guy and I want to play as fast as possible, but sitting behind someone for a year and learning as much as I can about the offense and what’s going on in the NFL would definitely be a blessing.”
Allen will know his draft fate soon enough — in 33 days, to be exact, he pointed out Friday — and the immediate buzz after his pro day was that Allen did himself a major favor with his performance.
As his son talked to on-air talent from ESPN and the NFL Network — both were airing portions of the pro day live — Joel Allen stood off to the side and marveled. He recalled a day more than 16 years ago, long before Allen was overlooked by almost every college in America, that someone actually envisioned a pro football future for Josh.
The Allen family was at a 49ers game at old Candlestick Park. As they tailgated in the parking lot, Joel told 4-year-old Josh to go long. The father unleashed a throw that he was sure had flown too far, but Josh sprinted underneath it and hauled it in.
A tailgating 49ers fan who watched the moment unfold yelled to Joel: “He’s going to be in the NFL one day!”
“And now,” Joel Allen said Friday, “he’s almost there.”
Broncos have their right tackle after Elway acquires Jared Veldheer from Arizona By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 24, 2018
And here Broncos Country thought the Broncos were going to protect Case Keenum on the right side with Menelik Watson.
Broncos general manager John Elway addressed arguably the team’s No. 2 priority this offseason by acquiring Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jared Veldheer in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick Friday. 9NEWS was the first to report the trade.
The team’s No. 1 offseason priority was a quarterback, which Elway took care of last week by signing Keenum to a two-year, $36 million contract. The deal includes $25 million in fully guaranteed money.
Now Keenum has much-needed protection with the addition of Veldheer, who is a Rocky Mountain of a man at 6-foot-8, 322 pounds. Veldheer, who will turn 31 in June, was a four-year starter for the Oakland Raiders before starting four more years with the Cardinals.
He has 101 starts, almost all at left tackle. With the Broncos, he will start at right tackle as the team wants to keep last year’s first-round draft pick Garett Bolles on the left side.
The Broncos’ offensive line has now been solidified with Bolles at left tackle, Ron Leary expected to be moved back to his natural left guard spot, Matt Paradis at center, Max Garcia or Connor McGovern at right guard and Veldheer at right tackle.
Bring onKhalil Mack, Justin Houston and Joey Bosa! (Or maybe let's not tell Veldheer how difficult it is to play right tackle in the AFC West.)
Veldheer has one year left on a five-year contract that will pay him a $6.5 million salary this year. He also will make $31,250 in a per-game roster bonus, or another $500,000 if he plays in all 16 games in 2018.
The Broncos badly needed a right tackle upgrade after Watson struggled mightily in pass protection last season. Watson was an effective run blocker. He can make up to $6.125 million this season, although none of that money is guaranteed.
With the addition of Veldheer, Watson likely would have to accept a significant pay cut to stay as a swing backup tackle.
Signs point to Gotsis participating in Broncos offseason program By Mike Klis 9NEWS March 24, 2018
Adam Gotsis is dealing with 90 days of suspense.
Gotsis awaits a Fulton County, Georgia district attorney investigation into a possible strongarm rape charge stemming from an incident that occurred nearly five years before it was reported to the Atlanta Police Department.
Gotsis was arrested on suspicion of the rape charge – but not formally charged -- on March 7 in Atlanta and released on bond.
“It was unfortunate that the police department decided to make an arrest before fully conferring with the DA as to whether they were going to prosecute the case or not based on the evidence,’’ said Manny Arora, one of the lead partners for the Arora & LaScala law firm that is representing Gotsis. “But we’re hoping for a good result for Mr. Gotsis.’’
According to Chris Hopper, spokesman for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and its Crime Against Women and Children Unit, the results of the investigation are expected within 90 days.
The Broncos begin their offseason conditioning program on April 16. Gotsis has been spotted multiple times by teammates working out on his own at the Broncos’ facility in recent days, an indication he would be permitted by the team and league to participate in the team’s voluntary offseason program if he chooses.
Broncos have familiarity dealing with a player accused of a serious crime in the offseason.
Back in 2015, Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith was under investigation for a child abuse situation that a Texas district attorney described as “sexual in nature.” A week after the investigation was announced in Texas, Smith decided it was best for him to skip the voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) so he could tend to his legal affairs.
In Smith's situation, he was more active working on his defense as it was a recent allegation. Smith rejoined the team for the start of training camp and played the entire season with his case pending. It wasn’t until mid-January 2016 that it was announced no charges would be filed.
Gotsis has cooperated with law enforcement regarding the alleged incident that occurred on March 9, 2013 when he was a student-athlete at Georgia Tech. According to the victim’s statement to police, Gotsis had intercourse with a 25-year-old female “against her will.’’
Even if no charges are filed against Gotsis, the statute of limitations for such rape cases is 15 years.
Gotsis, 25, was the Broncos’ second-round draft pick in 2015 and has so far collected $2.14 million in signing bonus and salary.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Gotsis played sparingly as a rookie, but started 13 of 16 games last year, registering 41 tackles and 2 sacks.
Broncos continue to seek help after free agency's initial frenzy By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 24, 2018
For many, free agency in the NFL -- or the part folks really seem to care about in the drive-time world -- is essentially those first 48 hours after the market officially opens.
That's when the biggest names sign the biggest contracts and then pose for the customary photos, new jerseys in hand, alongside the people who wrote the checks. But John Elway, the Denver Broncos' president of football operations/general manager, likes to remind those who listen that "free agency doesn't stop after that first weekend."
While the Broncos did dive early into free agency to make their biggest deal -- $36 million for two years to quarterback Case Keenum -- they still have work to do now that the first week is in the books.
Most notably they're still looking at offensive linemen, particularly those who can play right tackle, as well as wide receivers and defensive backs. But as the opening days of free agency have come and gone, the players who remain unsigned are often either a little older in NFL terms or have a question or two in tow.
So it becomes about short-term fit, about whether the player fills a specific role for a season or two at most.
"We'll continue to work in free agency, see how we can improve and see what is out there," Elway said last week. "We've got to do a great job of getting the right guys that can come in and help us.”
The Broncos also have 10 draft picks at the moment. If they use them all, it would be the team's largest draft class since 2009 when they also selected 10, including Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers in the first round.
The team added defensive lineman Clinton McDonald after free agency's initial swirl with a two-year deal earlier this week. With Derek Wolfe coming back from neck surgery and Adam Gotsis' future uncertain given his arrest earlier this month in connection with a rape accusation in an alleged incident that occurred when he was at Georgia Tech, McDonald is a player who should contribute immediately in the team's rotation.
McDonald has played 97 games in his career with 36 starts -- 34 came in his four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But in the weeks ahead, an offensive tackle would be the most likely Broncos signing given many league personnel executives say this year's draft class is thin there overall, especially for teams who'd like a rookie to contribute immediately. Multiple personnel evaluators say that fact influenced the market around the league in free agency's first days; Nate Solder signed a $62 million deal with the New York Giants and Chris Hubbard signed a $36.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. Players like 2014 Broncos draft pick Michael Schofield, former Broncos right tackle Donald Stephenson, Seantrel Henderson, Marshall Newhouse and Benjamin Ijalana also quickly signed one-year deals, which has significantly thinned the ranks of available tackles. There are still players like Austin Howard and Byron Bell available -- both could line up at right tackle. Howard is 30 and Bell is 29.
The wide receiver market also was depleted as Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson and Paul Richardson quickly signed deals for at least potentially $40 million overall. Of the remaining unsigned receivers Jeremy Maclin and 2010 Broncos draft pick Eric Decker are among the most accomplished. Dez Bryant would be another accomplished option if he were to be released by the Dallas Cowboys.
As is the case later in free agency, there are questions. Maclin had a career-low 40 receptions last season in Baltimore, and Decker averaged a career-low 10.4 yards per catch in his one season with the Tennessee Titans.
"We have time," Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. "There are still guys out there who can help us and we'll give those players a look. But there is a lot of work to do over the next few months."
With options limited in free agency, Broncos trade for OT Jared Veldheer By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 24, 2018
When the Denver Broncos gleefully introduced Case Keenum as their new starting quarterback just over a week ago, president of football operations/general manager John Elway said he was still on the hunt for ways to improve the line that would protect the team's investment.
And as the ranks of the unsigned tackles, particularly, dwindled in the opening days of free agency, Elway took another direction Friday. The Broncos sent a sixth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for veteran tackle Jared Veldheer.
Veldheer has started the majority of games in his previous eight seasons in the league at left tackle -- 91 in all at left tackle, nine at right tackle and one at center -- but the Broncos see him as a potential solution at right tackle. At 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, Veldheer is one of the biggest tackles in the league, and the Broncos know him well from his four seasons with the Oakland Raiders.
Veldheer's addition means that, if he's the starter at right tackle as expected, Garett Bolles stays at left tackle and Menelik Watson, who has never played more than 12 games in any season because of injuries, could be the team's swing tackle.
At the moment, Denver's offensive line would project to be Bolles at left tackle, Ron Leary at left guard, Matt Paradis at center, Connor McGovern at right guard and Veldheer at right tackle. The Broncos could still use one or more of their nine draft picks on offensive linemen as well.
Veldheer, who will turn 31 in June, had played in 16 games in five of his first six seasons in the league but has had injuries end each of the past two. A triceps injury finished his 2016 season after eight games, and last season he went on injured reserve after 13 games because of a cracked bone in his ankle.
After signing Keenum in the opening hours of free agency (as well as cornerback Tramaine Brock), the Broncos saw the tackles available the open market snapped up quickly, with Nate Solder's $62 million deal and Chris Hubbard's $36.5 million contract leading the way. Players like former Broncos draft pick Michael Schofield, former Denver right tackle Donald Stephenson, Seantrel Henderson, Marshall Newhouse and Ben Ijalana all quickly signed one-year deals around the league as well.
And because this year's NFL draft class is considered decidedly thin at tackle, the Broncos were faced with making a trade to fill a need.
The Broncos do still have nine picks in the draft, all in the first five rounds; Denver has four selections among the first 99, including the No. 5 pick overall.
Will Broncos find another gem among undrafted players? By Woody Paige KMGH March 24, 2018
Like a free-diver in the Indian Ocean searching through thousands of mollusks, the Broncos are attempting to find another pearl.
Chances of finding a genuine gem in an oyster is about one in 12,000.
The odds for the Broncos have been considerably higher, but not earth-shaking. Since John Elway assumed control of the football operations in 2011, the Broncos have sifted through more than a hundred college free agents, and three, perhaps stretched to four, on the current roster have proven to be major contributors.
There will be as many as 45 players in training camp who weren’t drafted.
The off-season roster includes almost 30 players who were signed by the Broncos last season, or to futures contracts, or by other teams as young street free agents. One already has been on the practice squads of six different teams, and eight with their fourth team still aspiring to play in a real National Football League game. One man’s trash is another’s treasure.
They all want to be the next Chris Harris Jr., C.J. Anderson or Shaquil Barrett.
Or even a Jordan Taylor, who finally has gotten to catch footballs as a wide receiver and a punt returner after being known solely as Peyton Manning’s caddie when the quarterback was recovering from injury his final season.
Then, there’s Kyle Sloter, who was signed by the Broncos as a free agent out of the University of Northern Colorado before the last training camp. He certainly outplayed the other three quarterbacks during the four exhibitions, but was cut, with the Broncos’ intention to have him as a practice squad scout quarterback. The Vikings lured him away with more money, and Sloter ended up on their active roster as a backup quarterback.
Ironically, Sloter played behind Case Keenum in 2017. Now he will play behind Kirk Cousins, and once again he will compete with Trevor Siemian – this time for the No. 2 job in Minnesota.
Only two players remain from the 2011 Broncos – No. 2 pick overall Von Miller and Harris, who was not selected in the draft.
About halfway through that year’s camp, I talked with the unknown Harris and wrote a column about the lack of respect shown him coming out of Kansas, where he played in the defensive backfield with Aqib Talib. “I’m here to prove everybody wrong,” Harris said bluntly. He did – and made the team. Harris is one of the five premier cornerbacks in the league – and went from a minimum NFL wage to a five- year, $42 million contract. Anderson, who grew up in Northern California, was poised to go to California-Berkley after high school, but he didn’t qualify academically. He enrolled at Laney College in Oakland, recommitted himself on the field and in the classroom, and was given a second chance at Cal. Despite impressive numbers, he was unchosen. The Broncos signed Anderson to a free-agent contract in 2013. After getting hurt in camp, he didn’t play until late October. C.J. did make a limited appearance in the Super Bowl loss.
Although the Broncos have entertained offers for Anderson recently, he’s still here after his first thousand-yard rushing season.
Shaq Barrett played high school at the famed Boys Town in Omaha, then at Nebraska-Omaha before transferring to Colorado State. He was named the Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year in 2013, but was not appreciated enough to be selected. A day after the draft, the Broncos, who obviously knew of Barrett, signed him, He spent 2014 on the practice squad, but was on the next year’s roster – and even started six games at outside linebacker. When not injured (missing the first seven games last season), Shaq’s a stalwart on the other side with Shane Ray (a No. 1 draft pick) from Miller.
Taylor and Kyle Peko, who have been on and off the active roster, are a couple of other examples of college free agents with the Broncos. Last year the defense utilized free agent safety Jamal Carter in all 16 games, primarily on special teams. He has an opportunity to play more in ’17. And cornerback Marcus Rios was on the Broncos’ practice squad until being activated on Dec. 1. Tackle Elijah Wilkinson (nine games) and safety Dymonte Thomas (three) will be back. Those four actually saw more action than four of the Broncos’ draft choices.
Everybody’s talking about the No. 5 pick in the draft next month, but is there another pearl for the Broncos among the undrafted players?
Brock Osweiler signs with Miami Dolphins, ending his second tour with Broncos By Troy Renck KMGH March 24, 2018
Brock will not be back.
Brock Osweiler's second tour with the Broncos ended quietly and officially Friday as the backup quarterback signed with the Miami Dolphins, according to multiple reports. Osweiler reunites with coach Adam Gase, his former offensive coordinator during the majority of his time in Denver.
Osweiler returned to the Broncos prior to last season, signed to a veteran minimum contract to play behind Trevor Siemian as Paxton Lynch healed from a shoulder injury. It brought full circle an odd journey after he defected from Denver 16 months earlier, signing a four-year, $72-million deal with Houston.
Osweiler fizzled as the Texans' franchise quarterback, never connecting with coach Bill O'Brien. The Texans bailed on him after one season, trading him to the Cleveland Browns, who absorbed a $16 million salary to land a premium draft pick. In the end, Cleveland released Osweiler.
He found a fresh start in an old place with the Broncos. Former teammates welcomed his return because of his professionalism and work ethic. And it did not hurt that Osweiler went 5-2 as a starter during the team's Super Bowl 50 title season, work in Peyton Manning's absence that helped secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
Osweiler took over for the slumping Siemian early in the season. Osweiler went 0-4 as a starter, finishing with five touchdowns and five interceptions. The highlight of his season came during a relief performance at Indianapolis as Osweiler rallied the Broncos to their lone road victory.
The Broncos have moved on from two of last year's quarterbacks. With a possible addition in the draft, the depth chart reads Case Keenum, Lynch, and Chad Kelly. Denver shipped Siemian to Minnesota last week.
Broncos acquire right tackle Jared Veldheer for sixth- round pick By Troy Renck KMGH March 24, 2018
Anyone who watched the Broncos last season can say with authority their offensive problems extended beyond quarterback.
Signing Case Keenum, if he protects the ball like he did with the Minnesota Vikings, should provide a boost. However, he needs to remain upright to help. The Broncos attempted to address their pass blocking shortcomings on Friday, acquiring veteran tackle Jared Veldheer from Arizona for a sixth-round pick (182nd overall) in this April's draft.
Veldheer, 31, brings experience, and a decent resume. A left tackle for the majority of his eight-year career, Veldheer started nine games at right tackle last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He projects to start for the Broncos, despite missing 11 games the past two seasons. Veldheer, who spent the first four years of his career in Oakland, brings a $6.5 million salary and per game roster bonuses.
The Broncos allowed 52 sacks last season, tied for third most in the NFL. Veldheer has yielded 28 sacks in his career. The team believes new line coaches and a revised blocking scheme will help. The Broncos used deep drops in pass protection a year ago with their tackles, which did no favors for rookie Garett Bolles or a revolving door of right tackles.
With the addition of Veldheer, Menelik Watson becomes a roster bubble candidate. In a similar situation last summer, Donald Stephenson only survived after accepting a paycut. Watson will compete for a rotational role.
The Broncos' lone big signing remains Keenum. Like last year, the Broncos are attempting to strike it big with fairly low-risk, high-reward candidates. They signed defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, cornerback Tramaine Brock, who is in line to start at nickelback, and acquired Veldheer.
Earlier Friday, the Broncos watched Josh Allen's pro day at Wyoming. With Gary Kubiak among the NFL brass in attendance, Allen put on a show during his 60-pass session. Sam Darnold has become the favorite to go first overall to Cleveland, but Allen gave scouts plenty to think about. The Broncos are considering taking a quarterback fifth overall -- they have been linked to Baker Mayfield -- though it would be hard to see how that would make them better next season with their goal to return to the playoffs. Other possibilities at No. 5 include defensive end Bradley Chubb and cornerback Denzel Ward.
Don't give up on Denver Broncos QB Paxton Lynch By David Ramsey Colorado Springs Gazette March 24, 2018
Paxton Lynch still walks our earth. He’s still on the Broncos roster. He still could someday contend for the starting job. He’s still 6-foot-7 and blessed with a powerful right arm.
For weeks, it’s seemed The Big Man does not even exist. He’s become invisible. He’s been dismissed.
He delivered a decent performance against the Chiefs’ second-string defense to end the 2017 season. He’s only 24, and he’s been given the blessing to sit and learn behind Case Keenum, a football craftsman.
Am I convinced Lynch will someday develop into one of the NFL’s top 16 quarterbacks?
No.
But that’s not out of the realm of possibility, and Lynch still has a strong chance to join the bottom half of the NFL’s top 32 quarterbacks, which means he could someday claim a starting job somewhere.
I asked Bronco coach Vance Joseph if he had talked with Lynch following the Keenum signing.
Yes, Joseph answered.
The coach said Lynch handled the news well. Lynch has a realistic view of his development. He knows he needs more time.
“Paxton is a young player,” Joseph said. “A guy who has four starts. It’s a new football world where you draft these guys and they have to play early and I don’t believe in that.
“For Paxton to have a chance to play behind Case, a guy who has been through a lot in his career, that can benefit Paxton. He has a chance to watch and learn how to prepare as an NFL starter behind a guy who’s been through ups-and-downs.”
Good point, Vance.
Talent is valuable, for sure, but perseverance can be even more precious. A year ago, Keenum resided in the NFL junk pile, which was no massive shock. He embarked on his pro ride as an undrafted free agent.
But he kept learning, kept pushing himself, kept improving. Keenum, 30, arrives in Colorado as the $18 million man after a sensational season with the Vikings. He persevered.
My point?
A quarterback should be not erased at 24 years old. Lynch’s story isn’t over. His story has barely begun.
Lynch realizes this truth.
“I want to be the quarterback of this organization,” Lynch said after the Chiefs loss. “... That’s what I believe in my heart. That’s what I’m trying to do, and that’s what I’m working to do.”
And he knows much work remains.
“I think there is just so much more I can get better at. That’s what I’m excited about. As a player, there is always something to grow, and this year obviously didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but you have to move on from that.”
For most of us, the only lasting impression of Lynch came Nov. 26 when he sat weeping on the Bronco bench. He had played poorly in a loss to the Raiders and suffered a wickedly painful high ankle sprain.
His moment of sorrow divides those who adore Broncos, and the divide tilts toward those horrified by a young man’s open display of emotion. I’ve talked with a dozen fans who said serving as Broncos quarterback, the leader of our state’s secular religion, demands Winston Churchill-like poise and courage.
Tears are not acceptable.
I have a different reaction. I saw a young man in pain. A young man who knew he had fumbled a big opportunity. A young man who deeply cares.
A young man who can still surprise us.
Cardinals send OT Veldheer to Broncos for 6th-round pick By Staff Associated Press March 24, 2018
The Arizona Cardinals have traded veteran offensive tackle Jared Veldheer to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year's draft.
The 30-year-old Veldheer, at 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, started 53 games in four seasons with Arizona after coming to the team from Oakland, where he spent his first four NFL campaigns. Veldheer played left tackle the first four seasons and switched to the right side last year.
It was apparent Veldheer didn't figure in Arizona's plans under new coach Steve Wilks, especially after the team signed free agent and ex-New York Giant Justin Pugh, who figures to take the right tackle job with D.J. Humphries on the left side.
The move Friday saves Arizona $6.9 million in salary cap space. The sixth-round pick is the 182nd overall.
Broncos acquire T Jared Veldheer in trade with Cardinals By Ben Swanson DenverBroncos.com March 24, 2018
The Broncos have acquired tackle Jared Veldheer from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for their sixth- round pick (No. 182) in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Veldheer has been a longtime starter in the NFL, starting in 101 of his 106 career games. Though he finished the 2017 season on injured reserve with a broken ankle, he told azcardinals.com, "The guys in the training room said it should be a pretty easy rehab to do."
A third-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Veldheer signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in 2014 after four seasons with the Raiders. Prior to his NFL career, Veldheer was a standout lineman at Hillsdale College in their Division II program. In 2009, Veldheer was named first-team All- American and first-team All-Region by the American Football Coaches Association.
New catch rule proposal aims to eliminate confusion with simpler guideline By Ben Swanson DenverBroncos.com March 24, 2018
If NFL team owners vote at next week's Annual League Meeting to ratify the new catch rule that will be placed before them, they will conclude an extensive process that NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent began two years ago.
At that time, Vincent and his staff gathered a group of active and former players to explain, review and debate the current catch rule, which has not had much success at providing a clear demarcation between what is and is not a catch. They watched examples of plays called each way and gathered an understanding of what the rule was, and then they moved on to potentially crafting what it could be.
"We just started with the actual rule itself," Vincent said in a conference call with media Friday morning. "[We] walked through the rule and there was a different interpretation of what someone thought the rule should be and what the actual rule is. Then we, over that last year and then this year, we brought in additional voices, additional video. We had a couple plays that everyone saw.
"Then we said, 'Let's reverse the question. Would you like for this to be a catch?' And then once we asked that question to coaches, the committee. And then to the competition committee, we asked the question, 'Would you like this to be a catch?' and then we begin writing language that would match."
After that point, they focused on three parts of the rule that they wanted to adjust: going to the ground with the ball, slight movement of the ball and the replay standard. Still, thinking about a rules change boiled down to looking at what had been controversial plays and just deciding whether they wanted those plays to be catches.
"When the question was asked, 'Do you want the Calvin Johnson play? Do you want that to be a catch? Do you want the Jesse James to be a catch? The Kelvin Benjamin, do you want those to be catches? The Dez Bryant?' … then we began just working back that way," Vincent said. "And I thought the committee over the last two months, and in particular this week, did a phenomenal job of mapping out and really clarifying [that] less is better."
Ultimately the result was a simpler rule.
"We tried to make it a very definable three-step process, which is control — meaning a clean catch of the ball — two feet down or a body part, and then do anything with the ball that shows it's a football act," said Rich McKay, Atlanta Falcons President & CEO and Competition Committee Chairman.
"That could be reaching for the goal line like [Steelers TE] Jesse James did, that could be reaching for a first-down line, that could be tucking the ball away. That could be a number of things. And lastly, the catch-all to that would be, or if you had enough time to do it and just didn't do it because you didn't need to. You could be in the end zone and caught the ball and held it that long and could have done something with it, but you didn't."
The goal was to clear up a key question for fans, players, coaches and officials, and if team owners see it that way next week and vote for a change, the NFL may have a solution to its most contentious rule.
"We think we got to a good place," Vincent said. "There's a proposal that's obviously that we are presenting next week with the hopes that we've at least addressed what the fans and most players and coaches think is something that's been long overdue."
Arizona Cardinals trade Jared Veldheer to the Denver Broncos for late-round pick By Kent Somers AZ Central March 24, 2018
The Cardinals traded tackle Jared Veldheer to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick in the draft next month, the team announced Friday afternoon.
The move frees $6.9 million of cap space for the Cardinals. As of Friday morning, the Cardinals were $13.7 million under the salary cap, according to the NFL Players Association. Trading Veldheer would increase that number to $20.6 million.
Veldheer’s return to Arizona has been in question for some time, and his departure seemed inevitable when the Cardinals signed free-agent tackle Andre Smith last week.
Veldheer is in the final year of a five-year contract signed in 2014. He played left tackle his first three years in Arizona, starting 40 consecutive games there before suffering a torn triceps tendon midway through the 2016 season.
Last year, Veldheer moved to right tackle and struggled for the first half of the season. He also took a day off in training camp to ponder retirement after results of a CTE study were released.
Veldheer improved over the latter half of the season and said he planned to play in 2018.
Veldheer’s departure means the Cardinals will have at least two new starters on the offensive line. Smith is expected to play right tackle and Justin Pugh, signed in free agency, will play left guard.
D.J. Humphries (left tackle), Mike Iupati (left guard) and A.Q. Shipley (center) are at the other spots.
Wyoming QB Josh Allen hopes accuracy questions answered at pro day By Lindsay Jones USA Today March 24, 2018
Josh Allen’s “wow” throws came at the end of his 45-minute pro day session Friday, when he effortlessly tossed several passes 60 yards or more in the air. But the really important part of the University of Wyoming star's audition came much earlier in the workout.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Allen has been trying to convince quarterback-needy teams picking at the top of the board that he’s got more to offer than his cannon of a right arm. Touch and accuracy will be far more important at the next level for a player who was a 56% passer in college.
Allen did indeed display the power in his arm Friday while overthrowing a handful of receivers at the end of the workout. But he also zinged intermediate passes that thumped loudly against his targets' chests and hands. But what representatives from 17 NFL teams traveled to see was his ability to consistently be precise on short and intermediate routes — while throwing on the run and to either sideline.
“He's got this rocket arm that everyone knows about and we've all seen. I want to show ... it's not a wild fastball, it's a consistent fastball,” QB coach Jordan Palmer, who has trained Allen and fellow top prospect Sam Darnold, told USA TODAY Sports.
“But more importantly, I want to show that a lot of times guys that have big arms — they have a hard time controlling it, and taking tempo off of the ball, and layering it and really controlling it. We put him in some situations today where he can really show that control and that touch."
Allen threw about 60 passes, with only two or three legitimate misses. He was particularly impressive on a series of bootlegs, to both his right and left, and on several intermediate seam routes.
“Show the accuracy, show the touch and show the footwork that we've been working on. I think we came out here and we did that,” Allen said.
With temperatures in the mid-40s and only a moderate — at least by Laramie standards — wind, Palmer and Allen decided to conduct the workout indoors because he has plenty of game tape showing him throw in poor weather conditions. Still, had it snowed, Allen said he would have gone outside for about 20 throws.
The NFL onlookers included a large contingent from the Browns, who own the No. 1 pick and are doing extensive work on the top quarterback prospects. Cleveland's party included owner Jimmy Haslam, who chatted with Allen’s parents and college coaches, general manager John Dorsey and head coach Hue Jackson. The New York Giants, who own the No. 2 pick, were represented by new head coach Pat Shurmur and Chris Mara, the senior vice president of player evaluation and brother of co-owner John Mara. Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, whose team selects third, chatted with Allen on the field after the workout.
Other senior level executives in attendance included Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider and Denver senior adviser Gary Kubiak, who represented the Broncos while GM John Elway attended the league's competition committee meetings in Florida.
Allen recently had a private workout for the Buffalo Bills and has another scheduled with the Jets in early April.
After months of work with Palmer, Allen is trying to show the fruits of his labor. He's aiming to refine his throwing mechanics and footwork in order to improve that accuracy. Palmer said Allen too often “threw off his toes” in college, causing him to overstride with his left leg and change the launch angle of his arm. Palmer focused on fine-tuning Allen’s base and body positioning, not so much overhauling his form.
“All those easy throws where it looked like, 'Boring. Oh who cares?' That's actually what they want to see,” Palmer said. “All of the intermediate and short throws were perfect. That was a big thing."
Safeties aren't getting paid this offseason, and Eric Reid could be a big reason why By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com March 24, 2018
By and large, free agency in the NFL played out this month in the exact opposite manner of how it transpired in baseball. Teams with abundant cap space dove into the deep end of the financial pool before the markets even officially opened at the start of the league year, and dozens of marginal players received handsome compensation. Within days, the top talent was off the market.
Well, except for the safety position. Things look a lot more like Major League Baseball in terms of the way the market has unfolded, or, frankly, failed to unfold. This offseason in MLB was about a slow, patience-testing waiting game between teams and free agents, with long-term deals difficult to come by, with the market far softer than we had seen in recent years and with elite players going far into spring training without a new team. Words like collusion were tossed around here and there, and the MLBPA and agent community believed something fishy might be going on.
And some of that same sort of chatter is going around in football circles, but on a far more position- specific basis. Agents for quality safeties -- guys who have been productive and healthy for the most part and who aren't at the end of their careers -- are getting beyond frustrated at the stagnant market, with salaries in a holding pattern at best. Several have reached out to the NFLPA to vent, I'm told, and are casting a jaundiced eye at NFL teams who seem to have strikingly similar financial evaluations on their players.
Bottom line is that at a time when the passing game is all the rage and middling quarterbacks along with receivers and corners are reaping massive contracts, safeties are having a difficult time getting legit offers, much less making a buck.
It's pretty bizarre. Even guys who can make plays on the ball are being largely shut out or limited to no- frills negotiations at a time when even running backs and two-down inside linebackers have gotten paid. There has been almost no movement at this position, and guys like Eric Reid (age 26), Kenny Vaccaro (27), Tre Boston (25), and Ron Parker (30) all still trying to find work, to say nothing of a group of older veterans who have still performed at a high level in recent years, like Corey Graham, Darius Butler and Reggie Nelson.
"We're barely even getting phone calls, and we're not the only ones," said one agent who is involved in the safety market. "You can't even get (BS) offers. We're literally getting nothing. I'm not even talking one year, $3 million. Nothing. And it's not just us."
Indeed, league sources indicated that several of the best remaining safeties on the market have been in communication with one another, sharing their experiences and trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Parker, Vaccaro, Reid and others have spoken about the fact that they can't seem to find a market, with different theories being espoused as to why. Going back to the combine it seems teams were taking a hardline stance on around $5 million to $7 million per year on safeties, and no one was getting close to what they had originally hoped for. The safety who did the best, actually, didn't do a thing, as the Rams placed the franchise tag on Lamarcus Joyner, which will earn him more than $11 million in 2018.
Kurt Coleman got a deal quickly with New Orleans after he was cut by Carolina last month -- he didn't have to wait for the league year to open to officially sign -- but that three-year, $16 million was an outlier. Morgan Burnett had aimed for $10 million and couldn't get $5 million per year on a three-year deal with the Steelers. Tyrann Mathieu had hoped to reach around that figure as well when he turned down an offer to stay in Arizona on a reduced salary and ended up getting from the Texas $7 million on just a one-year deal, roughly half of what he was set to make originally in 2018.
That $7 million figure is the highest annual value for a safety this offseason, with 45 players at other positions bettering it on the open market, while 44 non-safeties got deals worth more than Coleman's max value. Only two safeties got over $5 million per year thus far at a time when receivers like Donte Moncrief are getting double that.
There are a few mitigating circumstances. Reid is a former first-round pick who has played well enough to warrant a contract, whether back with the 49ers or elsewhere, but as one of the more prominent players to have joined Colin Kaepernick in his peaceful pre-game demonstrations in San Francisco, this was always going to be a tricky market for him. Trust me, Kaepernick's legal team is watching Reid's situation very closely as it may possibly pertain to their ongoing collusion grievance against the NFL, and if Reid, too, is systematically ignored by needy teams, it will certainly raise more probing questions as to how much of this is really about football. Reid reportedly told ESPN that he does not plan to protest during the national anthem in 2018.
Agents for other safeties believe that teams may be ignoring much of the entire position group -- and other younger safeties overall -- as a means of not just singling Reid out, himself. It may not be as obvious that Reid is blackballed if there are a handful of similar players who can nary get a phone call from a team with stated interest in them, and if all anyone seems to be willing to pay, hypothetically, is around $4 million per year. At various times this offseason clubs like the Packers, Browns, Bucs and Cowboys have been sniffing around on safeties, and, boy, there are still plenty of them to choose from. Twenty-five remain on the market as we speak.
"It feels like, with Eric Reid in the market, and teams not wanting to touch him, that a lot of other safeties are also being held down," the agent said. "Instead of anybody getting $8 million to $9 million per year, no one is getting it."
Perhaps this market will open up some next week with all owners, coaches and general managers huddled together in Orlando at the annual spring meeting. There is also the specter of a potential trade for Seattle All-Pro Earl Thomas -- the best safety in the game, when healthy -- that could be somewhat hampering the free agent market. Thomas is available (the initial asking price was high: a first- and third- round pick) and the Seahawks have engaged with several teams about him, and Thomas wants a healthy new deal wherever he goes, I'm told. So perhaps a few teams are holding out for him, and keeping that cash and cap aside for Thomas should they land him. But it's pretty clear that an abundance of options remains at this one particular position group long after most others have been thoroughly picked through and cleaned out. All eyes will remain on Reid, and whether he meets the same free-agent reality that has befallen Kaepernick, and the conversations between these young safeties will continue as they wait and wonder if and when they'll get paid anything close to their originally expected market value. Cardinals send Jared Veldheer to Broncos By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk March 24, 2018
The Broncos have completed a deal for offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, the teams announced. The Cardinals will get a sixth-round pick in return.
Veldheer, 30, has started most of his 101 games at left tackle. But he also played right tackle and right guard last season and spent some time at center during his rookie season of 2010.
The Broncos expect him to start at right tackle, upgrading their line.
Veldheer spent four years in Oakland after the Raiders made him a third-round pick and four years in Arizona after signing a five-year, $35 million contract in free agency in 2014.
D.J. Humphries becomes Arizona’s left tackle.